Other than they’re local to me, I do t really know much about them. How is their quality compared to other popular ones like Colt, Daniel Defense, BCM, etc. Are they worth it? Thanks in advance.

Who?

Sons of Liberty Gun Works. I've heard of them, but not handled their rifles. You can also check ARFCOM, what's left of M4CARBINE.net (much sadness). School of the American Rifle on youtube might have done a video on some of SOLGW's stuff too.

I wanted to like them as I've heard very good things from some people I respect but I had three rather poor experiences with them.

They were downright dismissive when I went to their booth at Shot. I had to stand there and wait until they finished their very basic chuckling conversation to request to pop one of their rifles off the wall and break it down. I was annoying to them as a potential customer from their glares (not the only vendor like this, but still). When I broke the rifle down, no one came over to discuss or ask if I had follow up they stood in their circle and babbled and had beers.

I talked to one of their folks on a separate instance who had a very high opinion of their stuff but like overbearingly so. I may have taken it the wrong way, but I was given the impression we weren't cool enough to have one of their guns.

We got samples to T&E as part of a larger project with multiple makers and they arrived straight up filthy. Like multiple suppressed mag dumps, FU filthy. We shot everything as received, so they choked multiple times. As a frame of reference, the other manufacturers submitted new guns, everyone knew they were for a potential contract ahead of time. Its possible this was a supplier/distributor issue but it was not good.

Again, all of this is based on my feels so I'm not going to judge on that, things happen and people take stuff the wrong way but number 3 is hard data. YMMV.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
Who?

I have a 13.7 Sage Edition. Tightest rifle I own, nothing moves or wiggles. Shot a Kyle Defoor carbine class with it last year and it ran like a Rolex. The only minor thing about the gun is that it's hefty for the size.

I've heard a lot about their warranty and my understanding is they'll replace anything that wears out forever, including barrels, or something like that.

I've only handled one OTHER guns of theirs, which happened to be another Sage edition.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeGLI:
I've heard a lot about their warranty and my understanding is they'll replace anything that wears out forever, including barrels...

It's an interesting marketing decision, but one that likely don't cost them much. Few firearm owners use their weapons enough to truly wear out parts. IMO firearm owners "grow tired" of their guns long before they wear out parts, then they buy another gun, and then they relegate the older gun to the back of the safe. But regardless of the level of projected warranty costs down the road, the manufacturer builds these costs into the product's retail price.

The issue may boil down to what SOLGW considers "worn out or shot out". The competitor who requires 100% reliability and precision accuracy out to 500 yards will almost certain have a different set of wear standards than someone who bangs away at B27 targets at 25-50 yards.

Assuming SOLGW has barrels that truly are consistently sub-MOA capable, what happens with such a barrel when it opens up to 1.5 or 2 MOA? That's shot out for the precision competitor, but it might be considered a nice barrel for someone used to 2 to 2.5 MOA rifles. I haven't seen any reports of whether or not SOLGW would replace such a barrel in this condition. And such a accuracy deterioration could easily occur with 5k rounds down the tube.

The precision competitor may also replace other critical components at the 5k to 10k round level -- gas block, gas tube, gas rings, bolt -- uncertain of SOLGW would consider these components as worn out at this stage of use.

I researched SOLGW, so here's a summary of my findings. The most common praise about them are:

• Quality Control - everything is manufactured to high tolerances, fits & works together well
  
• Build/Assembly quality - there are scores of brands making ARs w/ similar parts, but where they often cut corners (this is especially true at the budget/entry level) to keep prices down is in the skill level and QC of their rifle assemblers.
  
• Customer Service - generous warranty on some of their parts (e.g., barrel & BCG). They're responsive to inquiries to the point of taking calls on a Sunday afternoon, and the people on the other end know what they're talking about.

The most common criticisms are:

• They don't actually manufacture anything. Everything is contracted out. You'll frequently see the criticism that, "Their barrels are made by Ballistic Advantage! (some but not all)"
  This rationale is similar to saying a Corvette is junk, b/c Chevy also makes the Spark and Sonic.
  
• They're overpriced.
  
• They're reputation is mostly based on hype by aligning w/ the right internet personalities and promoting heavily on social media.

IMHO, I'd position SOLGW along the lines of BCM, PSA Sabre, Colt, Wilson Combat...
Their prices do seem to be creeping upwards, and they seem to be trying to position themselves in the same realm as DD, LWRC, Geissele, Noveske, and other brands of choice of operators.

I recently picked up a SOLGW/Loyal 9. I didn't buy it, b/c I wanted SOLGW so badly. I bought it, b/c I got SOLGW quality for around the same price as Aero/Ballistic Advantage or Sig M400.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: iron chef,

I don’t own one of their complete rifles but I do own 2 rifles built with their stripped lower and stripped upper receivers. I also use their bolt carrier groups, and some of their other parts. First of all, their warranty is legit! The people that work there really care, and are very responsive. I should preface that observation with a qualifier that I believe is appropriate. My warranty request was not one of their AR15 parts, but was actually for one of their 1/16” roll pin punches. I really liked the look of their punch set and so I ordered one. I broke the 1/16” roll pin punch on the 3rd time I used it. Especially with a punch that small, I don’t expect them to last forever, but I figured I’d reach out and see if their lifetime warranty really was a lifetime warranty. To my pleasant surprise, a replacement punch was en route the very same day I called. Their customer service and warranty is outstanding in my experience.

As for their rifles, their lowers are my preferred lowers along with Geissele. They use an M16 trigger pocket cut, which is my preference. I find that I’m only willing to build on an M16 cut receiver nowadays. I also find their roll marks to be attractive and tasteful. I used their rebel stripe roll mark lower. Their quality control and fit and finish is outstanding. I also like their thermal fit barrel extension openings on their upper receivers.

I also highly recommend their bolt carrier groups. Their quality is the full equal of BCM and other noted quality bolt carrier group manufacturers, but their warranty puts them over the top. Their pricing on these bolt carrier groups is also very reasonable and very attractive.

Based upon my experiences, I would definitely recommend them and am very pleased with the SOLGW products that I own.

I have two SOLGW rifles (13.7" and 16") and they're rock solid and their fit and finish is amazing. There's plenty of videos on YouTube showing their build quality and quality control processes.

As has been mentioned, their warranty is second to none. Not only do they cover high use and high wear parts for life, they've also replaced rifles damaged in fires and accidents. They'll also replace rifles used in lawful self defense shootings that are taken for evidence.

I don't know what you're in the market for, but there's a smoking deal on a NIB SOLGW EX03 13.7" (p/w to 16") for $950.00 on another forum that shouldn't be too difficult to find.

I have 2 13.7” rifles one set up with an Aimpoint and the other with an LPVO and I also have a 16” barreled upper. All three are rock solid and on par with my BCM rifles. Fit and finish are nice and tight.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
Who?

I have two; fit and finish is excellent. The 13.7 NOX upper on A5 lower makes for a super smooth, modern fighting rifle. I prefer FSB rifles for simplicity and have one that way and the other with their free-float hg.

I have the opportunity to make a trade for my Colt for a SOLGW M4 SL. Not one of the fancier models, one of the patrol models. Some of the officers I work with like them. But ve handled them in the past and like them, but I’m one of those guys that will shoot 25-50 yards. I do like that they’re a local company and have been curious about checking out their store here.

quote:

Originally posted by DeputyCG:
I have the opportunity to make a trade for my Colt for a SOLGW M4 SL. Not one of the fancier models, one of the patrol models. Some of the officers I work with like them. But ve handled them in the past and like them, but I’m one of those guys that will shoot 25-50 yards. I do like that they’re a local company and have been curious about checking out their store here.

I would say it depends on the vintage of the Colt. I’m a sucker for Colts up to around 2017 or so. I’m not saying that the SOLGW might not technically be a better rifle as the sum of all its parts, but I do love a nice Colt and have had really great luck with their accuracy. If it’s a newer Colt then I’d probably go forward with the trade. If it’s from the generation where Colt went back to mil spec trigger pins, but before they started cutting corners, then I’d probably hang onto the Colt. If you hang onto the Colt, pick up a SOLGW lower and acquire some parts but by bit and have another awesome rifle.

Solid guns. There’s two complete AR’s of theirs in my safe and three stripped lowers I’m slowly building.

We have 22 of them at work. As others have said, they're built super tight. Warranty is good and includes replacing guns seized after defensive uses at no charge.

They (the company) seem detail oriented. Their position on the parts not being made in house is that they're going to have the best source for any given part make the part and then they'll assemble it. You wouldn't dismiss a chef that doesn't raise his own cattle or grow his own vegetables. The owner makes his cell phone number available on the internet.

There's a common theme here. Along with the LE agencies, seems people like them well enough to own multiples.

They are one of the few vendors we allow aftermarket parts from on the duty guns.

To be honest with you, most of the magic of the “fit and finish” world is gone with me. Most of “fit and finish” is highly subjective and the value is in the eye of the beholder. I don’t see a lot of value in “fit and finish” the way I once did.

For those in law enforcement I highly recommend buying something in the sub $1000 range, and spending the extra money on skill. Skill is where it’s at, and buying a nicer rifle won’t make you better.